Mexico is an extremely popular destination for everyone looking for some sea and sun. The problem is that many of its cities are known for being quite unsafe due to the presence of notorious cartels and high crime rates.

This leads to many tourists flying in, going directly to their respective resorts and then staying put for the length of their trip. And this makes sense in a lot of Mexican cities- it’s often not worth the risk.

But Puerto Vallarta is generally different. So if you’re wondering if you should leave the resort in Puerto Vallarta, my answer is a loud and resounding yes.

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?

The quick answer is yes. Puerto Vallarta consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is significantly safer than cities where you likely wouldn’t have much concern: New York, Paris, and Miami all have far lower safety index ratings.

Still, many tourists will do the usual routine due to a conflation of Puerto Vallarta with other notoriously dangerous Mexican cities. They head to the resorts and never leave. Which is really a shame. What a bunch of schmucks.

Now, to be clear- no city is perfect. And Puerto Vallarta is no exception. So stay vigilant, as you would in any other foreign city.

Check the current travel warnings, as they can change over time. For instance, as I’m updating this article in June 2025 there have been recent reports of kidnappings from dating apps.

So maybe don’t use those. But also don’t let your fear completely deter you from exploring a beautiful city and surrounding area. If you’re smart and stay in the touristic areas, you won’t have any problems.

Note: In February 2026 there have been reports of cartel violence in Puerto Vallarta. If you are traveling in the near future, apply extra caution. That being said, my general opinion has not changed.

Benefits of leaving the resort in Puerto Vallarta

Cost

Cost is one way in which it’ll seem like a different world when you exit the resorts.

Seriously- things will probably cost 70-80% less the second you leave the resorts. I’ve gone with my family a few times to Vidanta in Nuevo Vallarta, and the prices there are obscene because the resort knows tourists have no choice but to pay.

But you do have a choice- you can leave. Duh.

And don’t leave the resorts just to head to the most touristic places in Puerto Vallarta. Pretend you’re a local. Stereotypical, probably slightly racist Mexican accent and everything.

Natural Beauty

When you see how beautiful this region is, you’re going to be shocked that you even googled whether or not you should leave the resort in Puerto Vallarta.

To start off, the main city itself is beautiful, pock-marked with authentic and charming streets teeming with life and culture. The area by the water, or the Zona Romántica (“Romantic Zone”), is where you should spend most of your time.

I’m a beach guy. And the beaches around the city of Puerto Vallarta (rather than at the resorts) are far superior. The color of the water just seems to change. I don’t even understand why, seeing as most of the resorts are pretty close by- but that’s just how it is.

Now, if you’re adventurous and rent a car or take a cab up into the surrounding mountains, you’ll be greeted by a complete change of scenery. Instead of beach, you’ll be enveloped by the lush and vibrant Sierra Madre rainforest.

In addition to the beauty, there’s also a host of incredible activities you can partake in here- we’ll get into that later.

Food

When I said to pretend that you were a local, it’s really in regards to food where that matters most.

Not only are the resort and touristy restaurants far more expensive, they’re also far less authentic and often far lower in quality.

Even if it’s a hassle to leave the resort every night, you should take a few nights to spend exploring the cuisine of the city of Puerto Vallarta.

For the cost of one mediocre resort meal, you can have three or four incredible ones. The choice is yours.

Here are a few restaurant recommendations: but as a rule of thumb, you should look for places a little off the beaten path that have mainly locals as customers. If you have trouble communicating with the staff, that’s a good sign.

Activities

Doesn’t staying in the resort just get boring?

Most people staying in resorts in Puerto Vallarta have no idea of the sorts of experiences waiting for them outside the walls.

An extremely fancy prison, that’s really what it is.

First are the beaches. As I mentioned earlier, there are beaches in Puerto Vallarta that I can guarantee you are so much nicer than what your resort has to offer. Check out a list of some of the best ones here. A couple of my favorites are Las Gemelas and Colomitos.

If you want to get a little more adventurous, something I highly recommend doing is a boat tour. This will allow you to see beaches you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to get to, such as the stunning Yelapa and Majahuitas. I’ll attach a few boat tour options below.

Then there are the mountains. The Sierra Madre rainforest in the backdrop of Puerto Vallarta is home to some of the best zip-lining in the world. There’s really no feeling quite like hurling through the air with the lush green rainforest canopy hundreds of feet below. Click here to see some of the best options!

I hope by now I’ve at least answered your question of whether or not you should leave the resort in Puerto Vallarta. Now break through those walls and see the real city!

And if the cartels do catch up to you, hopefully it’ll at least be after an unforgettable day of beach, boat, and adventure.